Shanghai Museum of Art
The world famous Shanghai Museum of Art, located directly in the hub of the city, is rich with an exceptionally large collection of the art of ancient China. With well over 100,000 pieces, the Shanghai Museum is known for its collection of ancient bronze art, ceramics and paintings.
Established in 1952, the museum has five floors at and above ground level with two floors underground.
The building itself, was fashioned after an ancient ding and is guarded by a row of beasts at the museum entrance.
The breathtaking museum is divided into ten separate galleries, which cover most of the major categories of ancient Chinese art.
The museum's most loved ancient gallery is the Chinese Bronze Gallery. The exquisite bronzes on exhibit include wine bottles, goblets, bronze dragons, as well as the popular phoenix.
The Calligraphy gallery follows the history of Chinese calligraphy dating back to the Shang Dynasty, and the Ancient Chinese Seals gallery exhibits the history of the sophisticated seals of the nation.
The gallery of Chinese Ceramics exhibits over 500 ancient pieces, some of which are among the rarest and least shown in the entire world.
Furniture of various styles made during the Ming and Qing Dynasty are displayed in the furniture gallery. Over a hundred pieces are shown. Another fine gallery is the Chinese Jade gallery which displays hundreds of ancient jade treasures and wares. In ancient China, Jade was used for decorative purposes and symbolized perfect morality.
One of the more unusual galleries is that of the Arts and Crafts by Chinese Minority which displays over 500 works of art, such as ancient clothing, personal adornment, sculpture, bamboo wares, and other interesting items used by the minority.
The gallery of Ancient Chinese Numismatics shows the historical development of the Chinese coins. China, being one of the earliest countries to use currency has a beautiful and intricate monetary history. About 7,000 coins are on display including bronze, silver, black copper, gold, and paper money. The Shanghai Museum holds the most complete exhibition of the history of Chinese coins.
The galleries of Chinese Paintings and Sculptures exhibit beautiful ancient masterpieces which map out the tradition and evolution of the Chinese culture from the Ming Dynasty. The Sculpture gallery focuses mainly on Buddhist related sculptures.
Along with these ten galleries, the Shanghai Museum has a special section of donated relics and three exhibition halls with ever changing displays and traveling exhibitions.
More information can be found using the resources below.
Shanghai Museum of Art Information:
Shanghai Museum of Art
Shanghai Museum of Art: Who We Are
UK Website which Reports all the New Art and Special Displays of the Shanghai Museum
Calendar of Events and Exhibits
Travel China Guide to the Shanghai Museum
Shanghai Museum: History, Displays, and Special Exhibitions
Virtual Online Tour of the Shanghai Museum
Travel China: A Visit to the Shanghai Museum
Destination 360: The Shanghai Museum
Travel Guide: Visiting the Shanghai Museum
China's Shanghai Museum
Bronze Gallery:
Information on the Gallery of Chinese Ancient Bronze
The Gallery of Ancient Chinese Bronze
Ceramics Gallery:
Information on the Gallery of Chinese Ancient Ceramics
The Gallery of Ancient Chinese Ceramics
Painting Gallery:
Information on the Gallery of Chinese Paintings
The Gallery of Ancient Chinese Paintings
Other Shanghai Gallery Information:
Gallery of Ancient Chinese Seals
Gallery of Chinese Calligraphy
Gallery of Chinese Ancient Sculpture
Gallery of Chinese Ancient Jade
Information on the Collections and Galleries
Gallery of Ancient Chinese Numismatics
Gallery of Chinese Furniture in Ming and Qing Dynasty
Gallery of Arts and Crafts by Chinese Minority
The Ten Galleries of the Shanghai Museum